Pump-Suction Oxygen Injection to Prevent Water-System Cavitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen enrichment systems for livestock and irrigation water face challenges such as high ventilation costs, oxygen consumption, and safety risks due to cavitation and gas pressure imbalances, particularly when using oxygen concentrators.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an oxygen enrichment system with an oxygen concentrator supplying oxygen at the pump suction, controlled by a water pressure sensor and flow sensor, and an additional gas source like cylinders, ensuring safe and efficient oxygen injection by avoiding cavitation and optimizing gas delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxygen injection is performed at pump discharge, then oxygen delivery efficiency is improved, but cavitation risk increases due to high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by injecting oxygen at pump suction instead of discharge. This reversal allows oxygen injection at low pressure conditions, eliminating cavitation risk while maintaining effective oxygen transfer to water through the suction side injection system
2Quantity of substance
If oxygen concentrator is used, then oxygen cost is reduced, but gas pressure control becomes critical to avoid cavitation
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the pump's own suction conditions to provide the pressure differential needed for oxygen injection. The concentrator connects to the suction line where the existing low-pressure environment self-regulates gas flow into water, eliminating the need for separate pressure control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The suction line acts as an intermediary medium that transfers oxygen from the concentrator to the water flow. By using the suction line as the injection pathway, the system leverages the existing fluid dynamics to control gas-liquid mixing without requiring additional pressure control devices
3Quantity of substance
If water pressure is increased to improve oxygen dissolution, then oxygen content in water increases, but pump cavitation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Oxygen is injected into water preliminarily at the suction side before water enters the pump. This preliminary oxygenation occurs at low pressure, preventing cavitation, while the oxygen-dissolved water then enters the pump and maintains its oxygen content through the pressurization process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures stable oxygen delivery, preventing cavitation and maintaining optimal pump operation, enhancing safety and efficiency in oxygen enrichment for both animal watering and irrigation systems.
Implementation Method 1
an injector (61), for example of the Venturi type, allowing a gas to be injected into water
Implementation Method 2
a water circulation pump (65): the water pump makes it possible to achieve high water speeds in the coil
Implementation Method 3
a coil (64): the length of the coil allows a chosen gas/water contact time, generally preferably greater than 10 seconds
Implementation Method 4
an injector 61, for example of the Venturi type, allowing a gas to be injected into water
Implementation Method 5
a water pressure sensor downstream (discharge) of the pump
Implementation Method 6
a water flow sensor, preferably installed at the discharge of the pump
Implementation Method 7
the pressure sensor then authorizes the opening of a solenoid valve located between the concentrator and the suction of the pump
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Installation for doping water with oxygen, water intended for irrigating plant cultivation or for watering animals (40), comprising means for supplying water to the animals for their watering or for said plant cultivation, supply means comprising: - an injector (7, 8) for injecting a gas into water; - a water inlet line (20) and at least one gas inlet line (3, 4, 5, 6), reaching the injector; and - at least one source (1, 60) of oxygen or of a gas mixture comprising oxygen, capable of delivering oxygen into the gas line, - a water tank (17) at atmospheric pressure, the injector being supplied with water from the water located in this tank, tank which can also be supplied with new water (20); - a coil (10) capable of receiving water loaded with dissolved oxygen from the injector, water which reaches the coil thanks to a pump (9), coil which makes it possible to create a water/oxygen contact time;where said source is an oxygen concentrator (60) supplying oxygen-enriched air; characterized in that the installation comprises a water pressure sensor (90) at the pump discharge, as well as a water flow sensor (80), preferably installed at the pump discharge, the flow sensor authorizing, when the pump is started, the electrical activation of the concentrator, while when the pressure at the pump outlet rises to a desired pressure setpoint level, the pressure sensor authorizes the opening of a solenoid valve (5) located between the concentrator and the pump suction.;